Alternator Pulley?

[jtm087]

I have had this chirping noise, while my car is warming up and its really cold outside. the belt is brand new and I have narrowed it down to either the alternator pulley or idler pulley. My ? is, in order to replace the alternator pulley, can i replace just the pulley?? or would I have to replace the whole alternator??? And does anyone have a write up on pulley replacements?? I know that its basicly untightening a bolt, but most times there is more to it than that. any help is appreciated

 

[spindlecone]

Is most likely the belt tensioner

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Best way to try and tell is to get some WD40 or some type of spray lubricant and while its chirping spray the tenstioner. Try to get just the tensioner, do not get the belt as that might take it to the alternator and make them both quiet. Good luck

-Drew

 

[jtm087]

alright, I will give that a try, only problem is I only hear the noise when the engine is revved or when accelerating and it only does it when it has sat in the cold for a few hours, mainly morning time, and I don't have anyone to help me so I can listen while the engine is revving. but yea ill try the wd40 and see what happens. But if it does happen to be the atlernator pulley, would I have to replace the whole alternator?

 

[spindlecone]

If its the alt bearing, you may need a rebuild, the belt tensioner has a sealed bearing so I doubt that any lube well work but who knows.
The way I would ck the tensioner would be to remove the belt and turn it by hand, see if you can feel any flat spots or binds, JMO

 

[aldive]

Don't just assume its the belt tensioner. It can be the belt itself, the idler pulley and/or the pulley on the other accessories, e.g., power steering pump or AC compressor.

Good luck in resolving the noise.

 

[vervepipes]

WD40 is murder on bearings!

 

[spindlecone]

Will not be a problem with a sealed bearing

 

[jtm087]

I did a search and found nothing on this...but how do you replce the belt tensioner?? please someone give me a write-up

 

[jtm087]

bumppp

 

[aldive]

After removing the serpentine belt, there is just one bolt that holds the tensioner, simply remove it and pull the tensioner out.

 

[BeeZeRCoX]

Idler Pulley

Have you determined the source of your problem yet?

My '99 was doing the same bird chirp thing and my mechanic narrowed it down to the Idler Pulley. $30 part. Just remove Belt, and its bolt off / bolt on. Pretty easy, and CHEAP fix.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[jtm087]

nah, actually these past few mornings have not been that cold, and I fully warmed up my truck, so it didn't make the chirp, but my truck has 126,x.. miles on it so I figure I might as well replace the tensioner and pulley's, and if that doesn't fix it I'll holla at a mechanic.

 

[jtm087]

I had my father listen, and he said the noise was coming from the back of the engine bay and he believes its something called "lifters".....anyone else ever had a problem with lifters and could this be a possibility??? He says this would explain why the noise goes away when the car warms up

 

[jtm087]

anyone know??

 

[spindlecone]

A chirp and lifter noise are not the same, do you hear a chirp or a clicking sound?
Would dought the lifters, maybe timeing chain rattle

 

[jtm087]

ohh I see thank you for your input